Skip to main content

Pollution of the Unsaturated Zone with Nitrate

  • Conference paper
Pollutants in Porous Media

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 47))

Abstract

Previous to the late 1960’s there was relatively little research on the side effects of the use of industrially fixed N on croplands. Because fertilizer N was inexpensive relative to other inputs no great effort was expanded on crop, fertilizer, and water management to increase the efficiency of N use. However, in the late 1960’s, partly as a result of papers by Commoner (1968, 1970), the increasing use of fertilizer N became a subject for debate. Consequently, in the last 15 years a tremendous effort has been expended on N use efficiency, denitrification, leaching of NO 3−3 from the root zone, and the rate of movement of water and NO 3−3 through soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aldrich SR (1980) Nitrogen in relation to food, environment and energy. Agric Exp St, College of Agricultur, Univ of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Special Publ 61

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelt H, Holtzclaw K, Pratt PF (1975) Effect of anion exclusion on the movement of chloride through soils. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 39:264–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayers RS, Westcot DW (1976) Water quality for agriculture. Irrigation and Drainage Paper no. 29. Food agric Organizat US (Rome, Italy) 00100

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg W, Thomas GW (1959) Anion exclusion patterns from soils and soil clays. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 23:348–350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biggar JW, Nielsen DR (1962) Miscible Displacement. II. Behavior of tracers. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 26:125–218

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biggar JW, Nielsen DR (1976) Spatial variability of the leaching characteristics of a field soil. Water Resour Res 12:78–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bremner JM, Blackmer AM (1978) Nitrous oxide emission from soils during nitrification of fertilizer nitrogen. Science 199:295–296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bresler E (1973 a) Anion exclusion and coupling effects of nonsteady transport through unsaturated soils. I. Theory. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 37:663–559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bresler E (1973 b) Simultaneous transport of solutes and water under transient unsaturated flow conditions. Water Res 1:975–986

    Google Scholar 

  • Bresler E, Laufer A (1974) Anion exclusion and coupling effects in nonsteady transport through unsaturated soils. II. Laboratory and numerical experiments. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:213–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns RG, Hardy RWF (1975) Nitrogen fixation in bacteria and higher plants. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron DR, Kowalenks CG, Campbell CA (1979) Factors affecting nitrate nitrogen and chloride leaching variability in a field plot. Soil Sci Soc Am J 43:455–460

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho CM (1971) Convective transport of ammonium with nitrification in soil. Can J Soil Sci 51:339–350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Committee on Water Quality (1973 a) Recreation and aesthetics. In: Water Quality Criteria 1972. NAS-NES. EPA-R3-73-033-March 1973. US Gov Print Office, Washington DC Stock number 5501-00520

    Google Scholar 

  • Committee on Water Quality (1973 b) Agricultural uses of water. In: Water Quality Criteria 1972. NAS/NAE. EPA-R3-73-033-March 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Commoner B (1968) Balance of nature. In: Konkle WW (ed) Providing Quality Environment in Our Communities. Graduate School Press, USDA Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Commoner B (1970) Threats to the integrity of the nitrogen cycle: Nitrogen compounds in soil, water, atmosphere and precipitation. In: Singer SF (ed) Global Effects of Environmental Pollution. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 70–95

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dagan G, Bresler E (1979) Solute dispersion in unsaturated heterogeneous soil at field scale. I. Theory Soil Sci Soc Am J 43:461–446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dyer KL (1965) Unsaturated flow phenomena in Panoche sandy clay loam as indicated by leaching of chloride and nitrate ions. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 29:121–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fried M, Tanji KK, Van De Pol RM (1976) Simplified long term concept for evaluating leaching of nitrogen from agricultural land. J Environ Qual 5:197–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner WR (1965) Movement of nitrogen in soil. Agron Monog 10:550–572

    Google Scholar 

  • Gast RG, Nelson WW, Randall GW (1978) Nitrate accumulation in soils and loss in tile drainage following nitrogen applications to continuous corn. J Environ Qual 7:258–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam JW, Skaggs RW, Weed SB (1979) Drainge control to diminish nitrate loss from agricultural fields. J Environ Qual 8:173–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hills FJ, Broadbent FE, Fried M (1978) Timing and rate of fertilizer nitrogen for sugarbeets related to nitrogen uptake and pollution potential. J Environ Qual 7:368–372

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (1980) Soil Nitrogen as Fertilizer or Pollutant. Proceeding Conference in Piracicaba, SP Brazil. July 1978. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • Jury WA (1982) Simulation of solute transport using a transfer function. Water Resour Res 18:363–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jury WA (1983) Chemical transport modeling-current approaches and unresolved problems. In: Nelson DW (ed) Chemical mobility and reactivity in soil system SSSA Spec Public 11

    Google Scholar 

  • Jury WA, Gardner WR, Saffigna PG, Tanner CB (1976) Model for predicting simultaneous movement of nitrate and water through a loamy sand. Soil Sci 122:36–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jury WA, Stolzy LH, Shouse P (1982) A field test of the transfer function model for predicting solute movement. Water Resour Res 18:369–374

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinjo T, Pratt PF (1971) Nitrate adsorption. I. In some acid soils of Mexico and South America. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 35:722–725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leon LA, Pratt PF (1974) Efectos agronomicos de la retencion y lixiviacion de nitratos en los andepts de Colombia. Turrialba 24:408–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Letey J, Blair JW, Devitt Dale, Lund LJ, Nash P (1979) Nitrate in effluent from specific tile-drained fields. In: Nitrates in Effluents from Irrigated Lands. NSF Report, May 1979. Available from NTIS. US Dept Commerce, Springfield VA 22161 USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Loehr RC (1974) Agricultural waste management, problems, processes and approaches. Academic Press, London New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers AC, Steward BA, Blair B (1975) Nitrate nitrogen removal from soil profiles by alfalfa. J Environ Qual 4:403–405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKim HCL (1978) State of knowledge in land treatment of wastewater Vols 1, 2. McKim HL Coordinator. Int Symp August 1978. Hanover, New Hampshire US Army Corps Eng

    Google Scholar 

  • Meisinger JJ, Randall GW, Vitosh ML (1980) Nitrifications inhibitors-potentials and limitations. ASA Spec Pub Number 38. ASA, 677 S Segoe Rd, Madison, Wisconsin 53711

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RJ, Smith RB (1976) Nitrogen balance in the southern San Joaquin Valley. J Environ Qual 5:274–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Misra C, Nielsen DR, Biggar JW (1974b) Nitrogen transformations in soil during leaching. I. Theoretical considerations. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:289–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Misra C, Nielsen DR, Biggar JW (1974 b) Nitrogen transformations in soil during leaching. II. Steady state nitrification and nitrate reduction. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:294–299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Misra C, Nielsen DR, Biggar JW (1974c) Nitrogen transformations in soil during leaching. III. Nitrate reduction in soil columns. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:300–304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muir J, Boyce JS, Seim EC, Mosher PN, Deibert EJ, Olson RA (1976) Influence of crop management practices on nutrient movement below the root zone in Nebraska soils. J Environ Qual 5:255–259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen DR, Biggar JW (1961) Miscible displacement in soils. I. Experimental information. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 25:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen DR, Biggar JW (1962) Miscible displacement in soils. III. Theoretical considerations. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 26:216–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen DR, MacDonald JG (eds) (1978) Nitrogen in the environment Vols 1, 2. Academic Press, New York, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen DR, Simmons CW, Biggar JW (1979) Flux of nitrate from a spatially variable field soil. In: Nitrate in Effluents from Irrigated Lands. NSF Report May 1979. Available from NTIS, US Dept Commerce, Springfield VA 22161

    Google Scholar 

  • Panel on Nitrates (1978) An environmental assessment. Environmental Studies Board, Nat Res Council, Nat Acad Sci, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20418

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PF (1979 a) Integration, discussion and conclusions. In: Nitrate in Effluents from Irrigated Lands. NSF Report May 1979. Available from NTIS, US Dept Commerce, Springfield VA 22161

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PF (1979 b) Nitrate in effluents from irrigated lands, In: Pratt PF (ed) NSF Report May 1979. Available from NTIS, US Dept Commerce, Springfield VA 22161

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PF, Davis S, Sharpless RG (1976) A four-year field trial with animal manures. Hilgardia 44:99–125

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PF, Barber JC, Corrin ML, Goering J, Hauck RD, Johnson HS, Klute A, Knowles R, Nelson DW, Pickett RC, Stephens ER (1977) Effect of increased nitrogen fixation on stratospheric ozone. Also CAST Report No. 53 January 1976, Climatic Change 1:109–135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PF, Lund LJ, Rible JM (1978) An approach to measuring leaching of nitrate from freely drained irrigated field. In: Nielson DR, MacDonald JG (eds) Nitrogen in the Environmental Vol 1 Academic Press, London New York, pp 22–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Raveh A, Avnimelech Y (1973) Minimizing nitrate seepage from the Hula Valley into Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). I. Enhancement of nitrate reduction by sprinkling and flooding. J Environ Qual 2:455–458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rible JM, Pratt PF, Lund LJ, Holtzclaw KM (1979) Nitrates in the unsaturated zone of freely drained fields. In: Nitrates in effluents from irrigated lands. NSF Report May 1979. Available from NTIS, US Dept Commerce, Springfield VA 22161

    Google Scholar 

  • Rich CI, Thomas GW (1960) The clay fraction of soils. Adv Agron 12:1–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins CW, Carter DL (1980) Nitrate-nitrogen leached below the root zone during and following alfalfa. J Environ Qual 9:447–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer CN (1947) Fertilization of lakes by agricultural and urban drainage. FN Engl Water Works Assoc 61:109–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Schalscha EB, Pratt PF, Domecq TC (1974) Nitrate adsorption by some volcanic-ash soils of southern Chile. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:44–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SIDA-FAO (1972) Report of Expert Consultation convened at FAO, Rome. Swedish Intern Develop Authority and FAO, Soils Bull 16

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh BR, Kanehiro Y (1969) Adsorption of nitrate in amorphous and kaolinitic Hawaiian soils. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 33:681–683

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SJ (1972) Relative rate of chloride movement in leaching of surface soil. Soil Sci 114:259–263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soderlund R, Svensson BH (1976) The global nitrogen cycle. In Svenssen BH, Soderlund R (eds) Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur-Global Cycles. SCOPE Report 7, Ecol Bull (Stockholm) 22:23–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanji KK, Fried M, Van De Pol RM (1977) A steady-state conceptual model for estimating nitrogen emissions from croppled lands. J Environ Qual 6:155–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanji KK, Broadbent FE, Mehran M, Fried M (1979) An extended version of a conceptual model for evaluating annual nitrogen leaching losses from croplands. J Environ Qual 8:114–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas GW (1960) Effects of electrolyte inhibition upon cation-exchance behavior of soils. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 24:329–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas GW, Swoboda AR (1970) Anion exclusion effects on chloride movement in soils. Soil Sci 110:163–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tullock RJ, Coleman NT, Pratt PF (1975) Rate of chloride and water movement in southern California soils. J Environ Qual 4:127–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (1976) Quality Criteria for Water. Office of Water and Hazardous Materials. US Environ Protect Agency, Washington DC 20460

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaisman IJ; Shalhevet J, Kipnis T, Feigen A (1982) Water regime and nitrogen fertilization for Rhodes grass irrigated with municipal waste water on sand dune soil. J Environ Qual 11:230–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagenet RJ, Biggar JW, Nielsen DR (1977) Tracing the transformations of urea fertilizer during leaching. Soil Sci Soc Am J 41:896–902

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watts DG, Hanks RJ (1978) A soil-water-nitrogen model for irrigated corn on sandy soils. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc J 42:492–499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White WC (1980) Personnel communication. The Fertilizer Institute, 1015 18th Street, NW Washington DC 20036

    Google Scholar 

  • Winteringham EPW (1980) Food and agriculture in relation to energy, environment and resources. Intern Atomic Energy Agency Vienna 1980 Atomic Energy Review 18:223–245

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Pratt, P.F., Jury, W.A. (1984). Pollution of the Unsaturated Zone with Nitrate. In: Yaron, B., Dagan, G., Goldshmid, J. (eds) Pollutants in Porous Media. Ecological Studies, vol 47. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69585-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69585-8_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69587-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69585-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics